Joni Pitkanen | Defenseman | #25

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Joni Pitkanen (heel) didn't sound optimistic about his chances of playing this coming season

In a translated piece, he told Finnish news outlet Kaleva: "Made some progress, but day by day we go. Really is still a long way that I could play at all." He was asked if he had been on skates and responded with "I'm not." Carolina GM Ron Francis said in late June that Pitkanen was unable to put his foot in a skate. He hasn't been able to play since April 2, 2013 because of a broken heel bone. Tue, Aug 5, 2014 12:08:00 PM

Joni Pitkanen (broken heel) isn't sure when he'll be able to play again.

Pitkanen, 30, hasn't played since April 2, 2013 and has long since been ruled out for the 2013-14 campaign. "I've been working with Raleigh Orthopaedic throughout this season with the hope of returning to play hockey," Pitkanen sad. "There is no timetable as of now, but I've been making progress with my rehab and it remains my goal to resume my professional hockey career. It's been frustrating to be away from the ice, but I want to thank all of the people who have expressed support throughout the season." He's a great offensive defenseman when he's healthy, but Pitkanen hasn't played in at least 70 games in a season since 2010-11. Fri, Mar 14, 2014 09:35:00 AM

This move isn't surprising, given that Pitkanen is expected to miss the entire season due to a broken left calcaneus. He's got plenty of fantasy value when he's healthy, but it's been a while since he played in the majority of an NHL season. Tue, Oct 1, 2013 12:53:00 PM

Teuvo Teravainen scored the first and last goal of the night for the Carolina Hurricanes, but it was not enough to stem a 6-5 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday night.

Teravainen’s first goal of the contest came at the 19:22 minute mark of the first and it tied the game at the time. His second goal was scored at 9:21 and lifted the Canes to a two-point advantage, but he was answered by Nick Ritchie and Corey Perry. This pair of goals snapped an eight-game span in which he failed to score a single point. His last goal came nine games ago on November 18th, so players could be forgiven if he was not on their roster.

Oh man were these highlight reel goals. The first one was a beautiful give and go that started behind the Canes night and finished with a triple deke finish from Ryan. The second of the night by Ryan was equally spectacular with a give and go shorthanded play with Brock McGinn. He may be an old first year player but he is getting the job done right now with five points in his last five games.

Jeff Skinner scored a goal on the power-play for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

The goal was his 8th of the season and 2nd on the power-play. He currently sits at 16 points in 17 games and looks to have finally put his concussion issues behind him for good. His goal tied the game 17:21 into the first period, it was assisted by Derek Ryan and Lee Stempniak. Viktor Stalberg then scored the game-winning goal short-handed midway through the second period. Skinner is hot with 10 points in his last 12 games.

Joakim Nordstrom scored the only goal in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the San Jose Sharks.

It took a while, but we finally got a goal in this game. Nordstrom broke the scoreless tie at the 10:48 mark of the third period. Viktor Stalberg picked up the assist on Nordstrom's first goal of the year. The 24-year-old has three points in 15 games this season.

The winger was diagnosed with the disease earlier in the month and while he wants to return to the lineup this season, he needs to stay on schedule. "I'm just taking it day by day, hopefully letting the treatment take its part," Bickell said this week. "I'm just taking it day by day and having ups and downs through the day." Bickell and Josh Harding have been talking. Harding, a former netminder with the Wild, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012 but continued to play in the NHL for a few years. We wish Bickell all the health and happiness.

Sebastian Aho scored the only goal Saturday night in a 2-1 loss of the Carolina Hurricanes to the Ottawa Senators.

Aho drew first blood with a goal at the 11:24 minute mark of the first that went unanswered for 15 minutes until Dion Phaneuf answered for Ottawa. Aho earned his goal by taking the most shots for the Canes with six pucks aimed at Craig Anderson. That was 18 percent of the Hurricanes shot productivity.

Hanifin brings his season's sum up to two goals and nine whole points in 23 games this season. He has 31 points in 102 career games thus far, while still very young, it doesn't appear he'll boast some of the classic Norris Trophy numbers we're used to seeing from top defensemen.

Jaccob Slavin led the Carolina Hurricanes with seven shots on goal Sunday.

The defenseman had only 32 in 24 games heading into action Sunday so this came out of nowhere. Slavin has a goal and seven points in 25 games and while he has some offensive upside, it hasn't translated into points thus far.

Nice bounce back for the 32 year-old vet who allowed five goals the night before against Anaheim. He's having a bounce back year altogether with a stellar 2.22 GAA and .920 save percentage to go with eight wins in 20 games started. Start him if you got him.